System of control.



'n. E. HELLMUND SYSTEM OF CONT ROL.- APPLICATION HLED'SEPT. 10. 1914.

1,264,299. I PatentedApr. 30,1918.

Trolley. I

Ground. Ground I W Q INVENTOR Rudolf E. Hellmund.

' WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT orrucn.

RUDOLF n. BELLMUND, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR To WESTING-noosn nLEcTnro AND MANUFACTURING column, A CORPORATION or rEN sYL-VANIA.

SYSTEM OF CONTROL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 30, 1918.

Application flied September 10, 1914. Serial No. 860,994.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUooLF E. HELL- MUND, a subject of the GermanEmplre, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny andState of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement 1nSystems of Control, of which the following is a specification,

MY'lHVQIItlOIl relates to systems of control, and it has specialreferenceto means for automatically converting a momentum-' drivenvehicle-propelling motor to a braking generator under predeterminedeonditlons of the supply circuit and the machine circuit, or forautomatically setting the air or other mechanical brakes under suchconditions.

- Theobject of my invention i'sto provide an apparatus of theabove-indicated character which shall be simple and compact 1nconstruction, and reliable and efl'ective in operation, whereby underemergency con-- ditions, such as failure of thesuppl circuit energy, thevehicle may be safe yretarded.

According to my invention, I provide a dynamo-electric machine .havingan armature and a field magnet winding, an auxiliary' source of energy,a brakin circult, and means, in the form of a suite 1e relay switch, forautomatically energizing the field winding from the source of energy,upon the failure of supply-circuit voltage, and" having an actuating0011 connected across the armature for either efiectin the connectionof'the machine to the bra 'ng circuit upon the-attainment of apredetermined speed-and voltage of the momentumdriven armature, or, as amodification of my invention, for electromagnetically efiecting theoperation. of the vehicle air brakes under the conditions referred to.

Fi re 1 of the accompanying drawing is a iagrammatic view of a systemof. control embodying my invention; and F1g.-2 is a diagrammatic view ofa modlfication of a portion of the system illustrated in and Ground; adyna-'.

iliary source of energy, such as a storage battery B; a braking circuitBC which preferably includes a suitable resistor R; a con- .tr'ol switchC that is adapted to occupy an ofi' and a plurality of operativepositions; and a relayswitch S. .i

The relay switch S comprises a suitable core member 1 that .is adaptedto be actuated upwardly by means of a coi12 which is con- 7 nectedacross the supply circuit through 00- operating stationary and movablecontact members 2 of the control switch .0, in any operative position; asecond actuating coil 3 which is adapted to move the core 1 downwardlywhen connected across the armature A, under predetermined voltageconditions thereof; a suitable spring member 4 for biasing the relayswitch S to the intermediate position shown in the drawing a movablecontact member 5 which'is adapted to engage a pair of stationary contactmembers 6 when the switch occupies its upper position and to engage apair of contact members 7 in its,

lower position a second movable contact member 8 which is adapted toengage a pair of stationary contact members 9 during the time that theswitch occupies either its intermediateposition shown in the drawin orits lower position; and a third. movab e contact member 10 which isadapted" to engage a pair of'stationary contact members 11 under'similar conditions, 1

The relative operation of the actuating coil 2, the coil 3 and thespring member 4:

may be briefly set forth as follows: When I the motor is not operating,the spring .4 biases the relay switch S to the intermediate positionillustrated; upon energization of the motor circuit and of the actuatingcoil 2 by movement of the control switch C to any operative position,the relay switch S- is moved to its upper position; and, upon failure ofsupply circuit voltage, provided the electromotive force generated bythe momentum-driven armature attains a pre-v determined value, theactuating coil 3 moves the sw1tch, 1n oppos tion to the spring 4, to-

its .lower position. i Y

Assuming --the parts to occupy the positrons shown, the operation of mysystem may be described as'follows: Upon actuation ,of the controlswitch 0 to any of its operative positions, the relay switch S is movedto vi pp po ition, as hereinbefore .d

scribed, whereupon a circuit is established from the trolley throughcooperating contact members 5 and 6 of the relay switch, conductor 12and the armature and field winding of the propelling motor to ground,thereby connecting the motor to the supply circuit for normal operationof any suitable type, as hereinafter pointed out.

Assuming the supply circuit energy to suddenly fail, for any reason, therelay switch S immediately assumes the position shown in the drawing,wherein-a circuit is first established from conductor 12 throughconductor 13, the actuating coil 3 of the relay switch S, conductor 14,cooperating contact members 8 and 9 of the switch, and conductors 15 and16 to a point intermedi' .ate the armature A and field winding F.

The coil 3 is thus connected directly across the armature A. Anothercircuit is simultaneously established from one side of the fieldF,through conductors 16 and 17, to

operating contact members 10 and 11 of the relay switch, conductor 18,control fingers 19 and 20which are bridged by a contact member 21 of thecontrol switch Ccon- 1 lished, a new circuit is completed from oneductor 22, a predetermined portion of the battery B, a manually operatedswitch 23,

and conductor 24 to the opposite side of the field F, to energlze it inthe opposite direction to that which the current took duringacceleratmn, for a purpose which will well understood. The battery B isthus connected to energize the field winding F, provided the controlswitch C occupies anyside of the armature A through conductor 25,reslstor R, and conductor 26 of the brak- -ing circuit BC, and throughcotiperating contact members 5 "and 7 of the relay switch S; andconductor 27 to the other side of the armature. The braking circuit BCis thus connected across the armature to set up dynamic braking'thereof,the rate of retarda tion of the vehicle'being readily varied by suitablemanipulation ofthe resistor R.

I Inasmuch as the particular system employed for accelerati vant to my.present -mvention, I have not deemed it necessaryto describe anyparticular system, and it will be understood thatf any suitable meansfor acceleratin the vehide-propelling motor may "be egnp oyed.

Since the actuating C011 2 of the relay the motor is not rele-v tarilydiscontinue the operation-ofthe mo-- tor, and the control switch isreturned to its ofl position, the relay switch S is allowed to assumeits intermediate position shown on the drawing and the battery B is notcon-- nected across the field winding F. The system described therefore,operates automatically only under predetermined emergency conditions. I

Reference may now be had to Fig. 2, wherein is shown a fluid-pressure,such as air-braking, system of a familiar form that is adapted to servea similar purpose to the braking resistor R, under emergency conditions.The apparatus illustrated comprises the conductors 25 and 26, which are,connected to the respective ends of an actuating coil '28 of a normallyclosed magnet valve 29; an air cylinder 30, an operating piston 31therefor, and a helical sprin 32 that is disposed within the cylinder 30to ias the piston 31 to an extreme and inoperative position; a brakeshoe 33 that is suitably mechanically associated with the piston rod 34for engaging a vehicle wheel W; and an air tank or reservoir 35 foradmitting air through the valve 29 to the cylinder 31 when the valve isactuated.

Assuming that the armature speed and the voltage attains theLpredetermined values above referred to, th' operation of the apparatusmay bedescribed as follows -When the actuating coil 28 of the valve 29is suiliciently energized from -'the armature, A to efiect the openingof the valve, fluid-pressure is admitted to. thecylinder 30 to actuatethe piston 31 in opposition to the action e5 switch S and the circuit ofthe bat y'B:

ofv the spring 32, thereby causing thebrake shoe 33 to engage the wheelW and brake the vehicle.

It will be appreciated that both types of the automatic system shown maybe ployed in a single vehicle, if desired.

I do not Wish to be restricted to the specific circuit connections andarrangement of parts herein set forth, but desire that only suchlimitations shall be imposedas are indicated in the appended claims. 3 a

I claim as my inventionzl 1. In a control system, the combination withasupply circuit, and a dynamo-electric machine adapted tobeconnectedthereto, of means active only upon a failure ofsupply-circuitenergy and upon subsequent machine-circuit conditions forautomatically efiecting the braking of said machine. 2. In a. controlsystem, the combination with a supply circuit, and a dynamo-electricmachine adapted to be connected there to and having an armature andafield magnet winding, of means active upon a failure 'of, supplycircuit energy and 'upon' subsetromagnetically effecting the braking ofsaid machine.

4. In a control system, thecombination with a supply circuit, and adynamo-electric machine adaptedto be connected thereto and having anarmature and a field magnet winding, of an auxiliary source of energy,and means dependent upon a failure of supply-circuit energy and upon apredetermined machine speed for energizing said winding from said sourceof energy and for concurrently electromagnetically effecting the brakingof said machine.

In a system of control, the combination with a supply circuit, and adynamo-electric machine adapted to be operated therefrom, of meansactive only upon a failure of supply-circuit energy and upon subsequentmachine-circuit conditions for causing said machine to act as anelectric brake.

6. In a system of control, the combination with a supply circuit, and adynamoelectric machine adapted to be operated therefrom,and having anarmature and a field magnet winding, of an auxiliary source of energy,and means dependent upon predetermined emergency machine-circuit conditions only for automatically energizing said field winding from saidauxiliary source to efiect dynamic braking of said machine.

7. In a' system of control, the combination with a supply circuit, and adynamoelectric machine adapted to be operated therefrom and having anarmature and a field magnet winding, of an auxiliary source of energy, abraking circuit, and means dependent upon a predetermined variation ofsupply-circuit, and of machine-circuit, voltage for automaticalllyenergizing said field winding from said source of energy and forconcurrently connecting said machine to said braking circuit.

8. In a system of control, the combina-- tion-With a supply circuit, anda dynamoelectrie machine adapted to be operated therefrom and having anarmature and a field magnet winding, of an auxiliary source of energy, abraking circuit, and means dependent upon a failure of supply-circuitenergy and upon subsequent machine-circuit conditions for energizingsaid field winding from said source of energy and for concurrentlyconnecting said machine to said braking c1rcu1t.

9. In asystem of control, the eombination With-a supply circuit, and adynamoelectric machine adapted. to be operated therefrom and having anarmature and a field magnet winding, of means active upon a failure ofsupply-circuit energy and upon subsequent increased voltage conditionsof the momentumdriven armature for effecting dynamic braking of saidmachine.

10. In a system of control, the combination with a supply circuit, and adynamoelectric machine adapted to be operated therefrom and having anarmature and a field magnet winding, of means active only upon apredetermined variation of supplycircuit voltage and upon apredetermined machine speed for causing said machine to act as anelectric brake. I

11. In a system of control, the combination with a supply circuit and adynamoelectric machine adapted to be operated therefrom and having anarmature and a field magnet winding, oflmeans active only upon a failureof supply1circuit energy and upon the attainment of a predeterminedmachine speed for effecting dynamic braking of said machine.

' therefrom and having an armature and a field magnet winding, of anauxiliary-source of energy, and means dependent upon a failure ofsupply-circuit energy and. upon subsequent voltage conditions of themomentum-driven armature for energizing said field Winding from saidauxiliary source and for effecting dynamic braking of the machine 13. Ina system of control, the combination with a supply circuit, and adynamo-' electric machine adapted to be operated therefrom and haying anarmature and a field magnet winding, of an auxiliary source of energy, abraking circuit, and means dependent upon a failure of supply-circuitenergy and upon a predetermined machine speed for energizing said fieldwinding from said source of energy and for concurrently connecting saidmachine to said braking circuit.

14. In a system of control, the combination with a supply circuit, and adynamoelectric machine adapted to be operated therefrom and having anarmature and a field magnet winding, of an auxiliary source of energy, abraking circuit, a relay switch having an actuating coil adapted forconnection across said armature, means associated with said switch forconnecting said auxiliary source of energy in circuit with said fieldwinding upon a predetermlned variation of supply-circuit energy, and

other means associated with the switch for subsequently connecting themachine to the braking circuit under predetermined circuit conditions.

15. In a system of control, the combination with a supply circuit, and adynamoelectric machine adapted to be operated therefrom and having anarmature and a field magnet winding, of an auxiliary source of energy, abraking circuit, a relay switch having an actuating coil adapted forconnection across said armature, means associated with said switch forconnecting said auxiliary source of energy in circuit with said fieldwinding upon a failure of supplycircuit energy, and other meansassociated with the switch for subsequently connecting the machine tothe braking circuit upon the attainment of the predetermined speed andvoltage of the machine armature. 16. In a vehicle-control system, thecombination with a supply circuit and a dynamo-electric machine adaptedto be fed therefrom, of relay means dependent upon predeterminedsupply-circuit conditions for antomatically interrupting thesupply-circuit connection of the machine and' dependent upon subsequentmachine-speed conditions for inaugurating a vehicle-retarding action.

17. In a vehicle-control system, the com bination with a suppl circuitand a dynamo-electric machine a apted to be fed therefrom, of meansactive only upon a predetermined variation of supply-circuit conditionsand a subsequent variation of machinespeed conditions for respectivelyinterrupting the supply-circuit connection of the machine and forinaugurating a vehicle-retardingaction.

18. In a control system," the combination with a supply circuit, and adynamo-electric machine a apted to be connected thereto, of.

means dependent upon a predetermined variation of supply-circuit voltageand an opposite variation of machine-circuit voltage for automaticallyeffecting the braking of said machine.

19. In a control system, the combination with a supply circuit, and adynamo-electric machine adapted to be operated therefrom, of meansdependent upon a predetermined decrease of supply-circuit voltage and anincrease of machine-circuit voltage for automatically efi'ecting thebraking of said machine.

20. In a system of control, the combination with a supply circuit, and adynamoelectric machine adapted to be connected thereto, of means fornormally governing the operation of said machine, and other meansdependent upon a failure of supply circuit voltage and upon subsequentmachine-circuit conditions for effecting the braking of said machinewhile said governing means occupies an operative position.

i 21. In a system of control, the combination with a supply circuit, anda dynamoelectrio machine adapted to be operated therefrom, of means fornormally governing the operation of said machine, and other meansdependent upon a failure of supplycircuit energy and upon subsequentmachine-circuit conditions for causing said machine to act as anelectric brake while said governing means occupies an operativeposition.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 28th dayof Aug,

RUDOLF E. HELLMUND.

Witnesses:

W. A. CLARK, B. B. Hmns.

